Opening Perspective: Rebound Electronics

The event opened with Rebound Electronics setting the commercial context. With global supply chains under continued pressure, the focus has shifted towards proactive control rather than reactive recovery. Key themes included shortage mitigation, lifecycle management, and leveraging global sourcing networks to maintain continuity.

The core message was clear: access to supply has become a strategic advantage, not an operational outcome.

Dr Matt Darkin – UK Ministry of Defence

Dr Matt Darkin addressed strategic obsolescence in long-life defence systems, highlighting a widening gap between fast-moving component lifecycles and long-term platform requirements.

He identified three structural challenges:

• Rapid component lifecycle changes
• Long operational lifespans of defence systems
• Fragmented organisational data environments

He emphasised that obsolescence is not simply part availability, but the inability to sustain systems over time. AI is increasingly relevant in defence, particularly in predictive maintenance and decision support, but depends on integrated and aligned data systems.

ID8 (Jabil & Cyferd Joint Venture) – AI in Procurement and Supply Chain

The ID8 session focused on practical AI deployment in procurement and supply chain operations, where inefficiencies remain driven by fragmented systems and manual processes.

Key issues included:

• Disconnected systems and data silos
• Manual, resource-heavy workflows
• Pressure to increase speed without reducing compliance

Their approach centred on AI-driven orchestration, using intelligent agents to integrate data, automate workflows and generate real-time insights.

AI was positioned not as automation alone, but as a tool for scalability, consistency and improved decision-making across complex environments.

Greg Jaknunas – Accuris

Greg Jaknunas explored the shift from data availability to actionable intelligence in BOM and component research.

He highlighted key 2026 market pressures:

• Significant lead time increases across categories
• Persistent poor-quality BOM data
• Rising lifecycle and compliance complexity

He introduced agentic AI, capable of multi-step reasoning and cross-referencing datasets to produce structured outputs.

The key constraint is no longer data, but engineering time. AI must therefore augment human expertise rather than replace it.

Z2Data – Supply Chain Risk and Critical Minerals

Z2Data outlined the evolving risk environment, particularly around critical materials and geopolitical exposure.

Key findings included:

• Increasing frequency and severity of disruptions
• Heavy dependence on specific regions for critical minerals
• Expanding regulatory and sustainability requirements

The need for multi-tier visibility and real-time monitoring was strongly emphasised. Supply chains can no longer assume stability and must instead operate as adaptive systems designed for disruption.

Intercept Technology – Long-Term Component Preservation

Intercept Technology focused on the often-overlooked issue of component preservation, where mismatches between product and component lifecycles create long-term risk.

Key challenges included:

• Lifecycle mismatches between components and systems
• Environmental degradation over time
• Limitations of traditional storage methods

Preservation was positioned not as logistics, but as a strategic factor influencing cost, availability and long-term system reliability.

Hailion AI – From Experimentation to Operational Value

Bob Booth of Hailion AI addressed the challenge of turning AI experimentation into operational value.

Key risks identified:

• Engineering complexity exceeding manual capability
• Poorly structured AI initiatives creating inefficiencies
• Lack of governance and prioritisation

His conclusion was direct: AI amplifies the quality of its foundation. Without strong data and integration, it increases complexity rather than reducing it.

Karen Salmon – Force Technologies

Karen Salmon introduced The Continuity Principle, reframing obsolescence from reactive replacement to system-level continuity.

The framework includes:

• Lifecycle management
• Design continuity
• Supply assurance
• Regulatory compliance

The key principle is that obsolescence should be engineered out at system level, not managed reactively at component level.

IIOM Panel – Industry Collaboration and Governance

The IIOM panel discussed cost, regulation and risk in obsolescence management.

Key themes included:

• Rising regulatory burden (REACH, RoHS)
• High cost of late-stage obsolescence decisions
• Need for standardised industry processes

A strong consensus emerged that no organisation can address these challenges alone, making collaboration and shared frameworks essential.

Market Outlook: 2026 and Beyond

The semiconductor market update highlighted ongoing structural pressure.

Key conditions:

• Extended lead times across key categories
• AI-driven demand, especially memory, dominating allocation
• Advanced node capacity fully constrained
• Continued pricing pressure across segments

Procurement strategy is therefore shifting. Cost optimisation alone is no longer sufficient; securing supply is now the primary objective.

ROM 2026 RECAP

ROM 2026 delivered a consistent message: the industry is entering a phase where complexity, speed and constraint are converging.

Success will depend on:

• Early visibility of risk and lifecycle challenges
• Effective use of AI for decision support
• Strong alignment across engineering, procurement and supply chain

Organisations that adapt will improve resilience and control. Those that do not will face increasing cost and uncertainty.

In this environment, control, not prediction has become the defining capability.